How come you didn’t like Maine ? Weather related ?
Ferget all that take the next beach down from Emerald Isle and Holden Beach and go to Sunset Beach. Last beach town before N. Mrytle about 20 mi. away. Cross the quaint one way bridge and stay ‘right’ [southerly heading actually] where the house end and pure beach begins. No one is out there and its pristine beach. Walk to to Bird Island which give use another mile of beach front; now a nature preserve. You can stay right off the causeway at SeaTrail a nice resort with plenty of Condos for rent.
I loved Maine, but wouldn’t even consider going into the water. It never warms up, cold as all get out in the middle of summer. The cliffs, lighthouses, food, inland lakes and all were worth not swimming in the surf, though. If it weren’t so far away from NC, I’d visit more often.
To Many Dean / Kerry bumper stickers last time we went...